Interesting item found on my 57 62 Coupe

[Cadillac Jack 82]

There is a small round bakelite switch in the middle of the dash right below/between the ashtray/glove box.  What is this for?  Flashers?  I press it...it clicks...but doesn't do anything else.

[Walter Youshock]

You sure it's not the trip odometer reset?  Push it in and turn it.  You should see the numbers on the trip Odom change.  Although the location you describe is not where the reset is...

Wonder if your car has a radio reverb or some other weird gizmo...

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Next time I have it out I'll take photos.  It turns and when you push it in it clicks.  Would that be for the rear speaker maybe?

[59-in-pieces]

Tim,
Not seen one before either.
But, next time you are stuck in traffic and feel frustrated, push it several times - real fast - and see if it makes you feel better.
Have fun,
Steve B.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Haha good one

[J. Skelly]

My next-door neighbor claimed to have rigged up his rear lights so they wouldn't work when he wanted to speed.  I guess the theory behind this is if a police car is a ways behind you AT NIGHT OR IN FOG, he wouldn't see your car. 

[35-709]

   In the tradition of a true southern red-neck.  A real rocket scientist there.  If and when they do see the car he will get ticketed for not having working taillights.  Does he disconnect the brake lights too?  Would seem he needs to think his idea through just a bit more thoroughly.

"Hey y'all, hold my beer and watch this!"   

[Coupedeville]

Hi Tim,

It's not for the odo as the reset for the odo is under the dash just to the right of the steering column. My 57 CDV doesn't have a switch in the position you describe so maybe it was added by a previous owner at some point.

Joe

[Bill Young]

Just grasping at straws here but could it be from some very early version of an electric garage door opener? Is there any strange device under the hood that it is wired to. I have seen a 1961 Fleetwood Sixth Special with one.

[Blade]

Tim,

Can you take a picture of it? Is it actually wired under the dash? Could be something one of the owners added to the car. On my '81 Camaro there is an extra switch on the bottom of the dash the previous owner added to engage the alarm system. It was combined with a hidden switch under the dash so it could not be disengaged.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

I'll take pictures when I go to a car show this weekend.  Its small....about the size of a dime and its definitely bakelite.  I haven't crawled up under the dash to see where its wired to but I will when I take photos.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Sounds like it could be a front to rear speaker fader control.

Bruce.

[Walter Youshock]

Isn't it driving you as crazy as the rest of us?  I can't wait to see a picture of the location.  Sounds almost like it's in front of the front speaker.  I still think it's a reverb...

[Coupe Deville]

Is Tim just fooling with us?? The suspense is killing me!

-Gavin

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Ha I'm keeping you all in suspense!  In any case I'll have my car out and about this weekend since it should be nice.  I'll snap photos of this device.  I have a feeling it might be for the rear speaker but I can't test it out since the rear speaker is shot. 

[Cadillac Jack 82]

According to a wiring diagram I'm researching this might be the flashers.

[Walter Youshock]

If it is, it's aftermarket.  No 4-ways until 1966.

[Blade]

My vote is on aftermarket, seen too many switches installed in cars by prior owners at one point or another.

[Coupe Deville]

Well....??

[Cadillac Jack 82]

I'll take a photo the next time I grab my car.  Right now I'm letting it sit because I need to do a rear main seal on the trans